Weigh tank for explosives



Dec. 30, 1941. G. D. ROGERS 2,267,751

WEIGH TANK FOR EXPLOSIVES Filed Nov. 23, 1940 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l 8 INVENTOR finale D.RD EIE:

ATTORNEYS Dec. 30, 1941.

G. D. ROGERS WEIGH TANK FOR EXPLOSIVES Filed NOV. 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 George D-Hnlaei*a BY W WM Patented Dec. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

. (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0.6. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

. This invention relates to a volumetric weigh tank for explosives and the like, and is especially adapted for use in weighing batches of molten explosives for admixture with weighed batches of explosives of a different characteristic or other ingredients.

The speciflc nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the tank of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fi 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a plan view partially in section showing details of the gauze;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 4; I

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view through the duct for filling the weigh tank.

Referring now to the drawings by characters of reference and more particularly to Fig. 2, the weigh tank of this invention comprises a measuring vessel III of any desirable configuration but herein illustrated as being of circular cross-section and. having a downwardly and inwardly sloping bottom ll terminating in a centrally positioned outlet I2 adapted to be controlled in any conventional manner.

A jacket 13 is secured to the measuring vessel III in spaced relation to the side and bottom walls of the latter in the manner shown in Fig. 2 and has its upper edge secured to the upper edge portion of the vessel by means of an annular ring shaped member H in fluid sealed relation. Conveniently the ring shaped member I may be disposed to extend a slight distance radially outwardly of the jacket I! and have its upper surface in coplanar relation to the upper edge of the vessel Hi to provide a support for the cover as hereinafter described. Inlet and outlet openings II and I8 through the jacket l3 provide for circulating a suitable heat exchange fluid within the chamber formed between the adjacent walls of the vessel Ill and Jacket ii to ensure keeping the contents of vessel ll at the proper temperature.

The structure thus far described may be supported in any appropriate manner but I have found it convenient to mount it upon an annular ring I! supported by a plurality of standards I8 as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

A semi-circular cover plate I9 is removably secured-to the member H in closing relation to one-half the top of the vessel i0 and has removably secured thereto along its diametrai edge symmetrically of its center of curvature a gauge supporting plate 20. The plate is formed with a perforated boss 2! adjacent one side and the cover plate i9 is formed with spaced notches 22, either one of which is adapted to be aligned with the perforation in boss 2i when plate 20 is secured to plate 99, depending upon the relative faces of plates it! and 20 which are abutting each other when the plates are secured together. A standard 22' herein shown as an angle iron, is secured to plate 2!] in upstanding relation and has a scale plate 23 graduated in pounds or similar units, corresponding to volumetric measures of a given material in the measuring vessel, secured thereon. An indicator 24 having a T-cut 25 therein adapted to receive the scale plate is mounted on the scale plate as shown in Fig. 4, and is provided with a fiducial edge transversely disposed relative to the scale plate for indicating a particular graduation on the latter. Within the measuring vessel ill is disposed a float 26 of generally cylindrical section having a conically shaped upper surface 21 of sufficient degree of conicity to ensure draining therefrom of any material that may accidentally fall upon the float in order to preserve a constant buoyancy thereof. A vertically disposed float rod 28 is axially secured to the float in any suitable manner at one end portion and projected through the perforated boss 2! at its opposite end portion where it is detachably secured to the ,indicator 24 as by securing it within a bore 29 provided therefor in the indicator by a knurled set screw 30. In this manner the indicator may be adjusted on the float rod to cause the indicator to indicate a desired graduation on the scale plate when the float is in a given position.

A filling duct 3| is secured to the cover plate I! and has its outlet end projecting within the interior of the vessel ill a short distance and enclosed by an egress duct 32 of slightly larger diameter and extending downwardly to a level below the top of the float 26 in its lowermost position to prevent material entering the vessel It from falling upon the float.

The cover plate I! is also provided with a fitting 33 for receiving a fume duct (not shown) for conducting fumes from the vessel III to the ventilating system or the installation and for purposes or safety a deluge fitting 34 is secured to the cover plate having a pipe 35 adapted to be connected with a water main. The fitting 3| in addition carries a fusible link 36 which upon the contents or vessel It exceeding a predetermined temperature will melt permitting a valve (not shown) controlled thereby to open communication between the pipe 35 and water main for deluging the vessel ill with water.

A cover plate 31 of the same general shape as cover plate i9 is provided with a handle 88 and clips 39 adapted to receive projections: dd secured on plate is for removably covering the other half of the top of vessel it.

In use the volume corresponding to the small== est weight of batch of explosive that it will be desired to measure will be determined and the float 26 and float rod positioned in the vessel accordingly, with the float rod attached to the indicator in such position that the latter will indicate the corresponding weight on scale plate 23. The weight of the maximum volume of the measuring vessel it filled with a given material will be inscribed upon the scale plate 23 at a point corresponding to the position of the float 26, float rod 28 and indicator 2 3 when floating upon the surface portion of said maximum vol= ume' of material and the scale plate may be subdivided between the maximum and minimum readings so inscribed thereon as desired.

Having now described a present preferred embodiment of the invention I claim:

In a volumetric weigh tank, a measuring vessel, a scale bearing member aiflxed to the vessel in upwardly projecting relation to the top there- 01, an indicator mounted on the scale bearing member for movement relative thereto, the mounting of said indicator confining movement of the same to translatory motion parallel to the scale bearing member, a float disposed within the vessel provided with an upper conical surface, a float rod rigidly connected to the float through the apex portion of the same and projecting above the top of the vessel in proximity of the indicator, means adjustably connecting the float rod portion projecting above the top of the vessel to the indicator, and a filling duct secured to the measuring vessel provided with an egress opening disposed below the upper surface of the float in the lowermost position of the latter; said filling duct, float rod, and fioat being the only elements projecting interiorly of the vessel substantially below the upper surface thereof.

GEORGE D. RQGERS. 

